Abstract
This research is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Joan Marie Kelly and Balikesir University Faculty of Fine Arts and Balikesir Municipality, Türkiye. Kelly wrote a proposal to Balikesir Municipality to fund a series of Trauma-Informed Art making workshops for survivors of the Feb 6, 2023, earthquake. The workshops were considered as prototypes, where art making and storytelling techniques best practices were applied and documented. These workshops opened an opportunity for survivors to express and share their experiences and emotions through visual language and storytelling. The survivors are listened to and acknowledged. The images that accompany their stories are artifacts of their experiences and histories. The insights gained from the prototype can serve as a valuable foundation for developing evidence-based best practices in the application of art practices for the purpose of trauma recovery. By demonstrating the positive outcomes and benefits of these methods, and understanding where participants have suggestions, we can encourage their implementation in future events of collective trauma and set best practices. We are exploring how to engage art-making, and visual language as an outlet for trauma survivors to navigate their emotions, find a language for their pain and experiences, and regain a sense of control. This exploration examines the transformative power of visual language and storytelling as a catalyst for post-traumatic growth.
Presenters
Joan Marie KellySenior Lecturer, Nanyang Technological University School of Art Design and Media, Singapore
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Technical, Political, and Social Responses
KEYWORDS
Trauma, Environmental Disaster, Storytelling, Sensory Engagement
